January 11, 2022
Testing rules students in athletics
Generally, student participation in COVID-19 testing is required except in limited circumstances (See the January 6 update for details). However, students in athletics are required to be vaccinated and do not have to test. Students in athletics are only required to receive a COVID-19 test weekly if they have received an exemption due to medical or religious reasons.
Reminder about the COVID-19 dashboard
The COVID-19 tracking dashboard only reflects positive COVID-19 cases that occurred while schools were in session. The results from testing during the week of January 3, 2022, will NOT be added to the dashboard as those cases occurred when schools were closed. We will begin updating the dashboard this week. The increase in cases is slowing our contact tracing work, as we confirm cases related to schools before posting them. We will update the dashboard cases as quickly as possible, but there will not be real-time updates.
The Virtual Learning Programs are not accepting new students
City Schools' Virtual Learning Programs are not accepting new students currently. The application and the appeal periods for this school year are closed. Students in the Virtual Learning Program were selected based on past academic performance and attendance in that setting - the program is not for every student. Any student not selected for the Virtual Learning Program must attend school in-person except in certain circumstances.
City Schools believes the best place for students to learn is an in-person classroom, as long as the proper health and safety protocols are in place. The Virtual Learning Program is not an option for families that do not want their students to attend school in person. To learn more about our health and safety protocols for in-person learning, visit https://www.baltimorecityschools.org/safety-procedures